3* Legends Hotel

Hotel Pelirocco could really only exist in Brighton. This small independent hotel on Regency Square has 19 individually themed rooms inspired by music, pop culture and the city’s famously eccentric personality, making it a refreshing alternative to predictable chain hotels. Every room has its own character, so it’s worth looking through the options rather than simply choosing the cheapest category. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout, a lively cocktail bar, breakfast and regular music or entertainment events, and the friendly atmosphere is very much part of the appeal. The hotel sits just off the seafront opposite the i360 and old West Pier, with the Lanes, shops and central restaurants all easy to reach on foot. Brighton’s main gay scene in Kemptown is farther along the seafront, so expect a longer walk or quick taxi when heading out. GayMapper tip: choose Pelirocco if you want something fun, individual and unmistakably Brighton — this is definitely not the place for lovers of beige hotel rooms.

Drakes is a stylish little seafront hotel that puts you close to Kemptown nightlife without feeling like a nightlife hotel itself. Set across two Regency townhouses on Marine Parade, it’s only a short walk from Brighton’s gay bars, Palace Pier and the Royal Pavilion. There are just 20 rooms, many overlooking the sea, and the better categories have some wonderfully Brighton touches — huge bay windows, freestanding baths and views across the beach and Pier. Rooms are air-conditioned and include free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, quality toiletries and tea and coffee facilities. Downstairs, the cocktail bar looks directly across the water, while Michelin-recommended Dilsk offers fine dining built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a more intimate and romantic experience than the big seafront hotels, and current guest feedback is particularly strong for service, cleanliness and location. GayMapper tip: a great option if you want Kemptown close enough for an easy night out but would rather return to cocktails and sea views than a club downstairs.

West Beach Hotel is a good option if you want to stay right on Brighton’s seafront without spending the sort of money some of the larger beachfront hotels command. It sits opposite the old West Pier and i360, with the beach literally across the road. The hotel has 52 recently updated rooms ranging from compact Economy doubles to larger sea-view rooms, family rooms and dorm-style accommodation. All rooms have private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi, while private rooms also include tea and coffee facilities. There’s a 24-hour reception and co-working space too. The Lanes, Churchill Square and central Brighton are within easy walking distance, although the main gay nightlife around Kemptown is farther east. It’s perfectly manageable by bus or taxi, but this isn’t one to book specifically for being beside the bars. GayMapper tip: a useful choice when price and the seafront matter more than being in the middle of the gay village.

Square Townhouse is a lovely option if you want the Kemptown location without staying in one of the busier nightlife hotels. Set in a handsome listed townhouse overlooking New Steine gardens, it’s just back from the seafront and only a few minutes’ walk from Brighton’s main gay bars. The hotel has just 20 individually designed rooms and suites, ranging from cosy doubles to luxurious sea-view rooms with freestanding baths. At the top end, the Bubble Suite even comes with its own rooftop terrace. The atmosphere is intimate and personal, with a stylish lounge bar, cooked-to-order breakfast and in-room wellness and beauty treatments available. Brighton Pier and the Royal Pavilion are both easily walkable, while the beach is only moments away. Guest feedback is consistently excellent, which makes this particularly appealing if you want something more polished than the typical Kemptown guesthouse without moving away from the neighbourhood. GayMapper tip: ideal for couples who want the gay scene nearby but prefer a quieter, more grown-up place to come home to.

Queens Hotel occupies a particularly handy spot directly on the seafront beside the Lanes and only moments from Brighton Palace Pier. From here it’s an easy walk east into Kemptown for the gay bars, while the Royal Pavilion, restaurants and shopping are equally close in the other direction. The hotel has 94 generously sized rooms, many with panoramic sea views, plus a separate collection of studios and one-bedroom apartments. Rooms include private bathrooms, smart TVs and free Wi-Fi. The big attraction is the leisure club, where hotel guests get complimentary use of the heated indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room. There’s also an on-site spa for treatments and a seafront bar and bistro. It isn’t the most design-led hotel in Brighton, but the combination of room size, facilities and location makes it a very practical option. GayMapper tip: particularly useful if you want both the seafront and Kemptown close by — and a proper indoor pool is a definite bonus in Brighton.

The Grand is one of Brighton’s landmark hotels, and a great choice if you want a proper luxury seaside stay while still being able to reach the city’s gay scene without much effort. It sits directly on the seafront, opposite the beach and just a few minutes from the Lanes, Brighton Centre and i360. All 205 rooms have now been refurbished, mixing the hotel’s Victorian character with a much fresher contemporary look. Many sea-facing rooms add balconies and wonderful views across the Channel. There’s also the stylish Cyan restaurant, Victoria Bar & Lounge and the hotel’s famous afternoon tea. A new L.RAPHAEL spa adds a hydrotherapy pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, treatments and gym, although thermal-suite access carries an additional charge. Kemptown’s gay bars are around a 15-minute walk along the seafront, so this is better for luxury and location than having the nightlife literally outside. GayMapper tip: ideal for a special weekend when you want Brighton grandeur without being far from the action.